Blog

06Apr
2022

Facing The Headlines: Danger Lurks For Florida Cyclists

Pick up a local newspaper or scroll through social media and you’re bound to come across a news story about Florida cyclists injured on our roads.  

Sometimes with serious injuries… 

Sometimes fatal… 

It’s time to face the headlines: Florida is the deadliest state for cyclists. Turns out, 2022 is living up to that reputation.

Let’s take a look at some headlines featuring devastating accidents involving cyclists in Florida that have dominated the news this year so far:

January 2022

“Pinellas most dangerous for walking, bicycling in 2021. Deaths nearly double.”

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“A vehicle hit and killed a 64-year-old man Saturday evening while riding his bicycle on U.S. 92, east of Taylor Road. Deputies are searching for the driver of the vehicle, who fled the scene after the collision, according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol.”

February 2022

“BRANDON- A 30-year-old Brandon man has died after the bicycle he was riding was struck by four vehicles on State Road 60 in Hillsborough County on Monday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.  Two SUVs, a sedan, and a pickup truck all were eastbound on SR 60 when the collisions happened near U.S. 301 around 4:30 p.m.”

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“PINELLAS- A bicyclist has died after he was hit by a FedEx truck in Pinellas County Tuesday night. The crash occurred about 7:19 p.m. Tuesday at 71st Street and 50th Avenue N, the Florida Highway Patrol reported.”

March 2022

“TAMPA — A bicyclist has died in a crash with a dump truck, Tampa police said. The collision happened at 8:22 a.m. Tuesday at East 21st Street and North 15th Street, near Cuscaden Park.”

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“MASARYKTOWN — A pickup truck driver didn’t see a bicyclist riding in front of him and struck and killed the man, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The collision occurred at 6:51 a.m. Friday on U.S. 41 at County Line Road in Masaryktown.”

Enough, already

What does the rest of the year hold? As Florida cyclists and fitness fanatics ourselves, these stories hit home. 

Cycling is an amazing sport. We want to leave our cars in the driveway and get out there on our bikes. We want to push ourselves in our fitness goals, with sunshine on our faces as we pedal. But we also want to be safe. Not too much to ask, right?

All too often, a distracted driver is responsible for broken bones and broken lives. We’ve seen the aftermath and heard personal accounts. We’ve listened to the worries that follow – health, finances, anxiety. We watched tears roll down the faces of people who are trying to get back on their feet, while in their heads the wheels are still spinning on the sidewalk.  

Don’t be the next statistic. We want you to enjoy cycling in Florida, but we want you to take all of the precautions that you can. Let’s make sure we exercise safely. We’ve talked before about knowing the rules of the road, making ourselves visible, and wearing our helmets.

Keep on pedaling

If you, or someone you love, has been involved in a bicycle injury or a scary near-miss, these headlines will ring true for you. The impact can be life-changing. Apart from the physically affected Florida cyclists, the emotional trauma can be huge.

When you’ve suffered a devastating bicycle injury you will need compensation to cover your medical bills, loss of income, as well as the pain and suffering you’ve endured. Make sure you’ve got an experienced, compassionate, and dedicated personal injury attorney in St Petersburg FL on your side. 

Jenkins Law P.L specializes in this area and we know what it takes to get you back up and cycling. Get in touch to see why we’re the best fit when it comes to fighting for what you deserve.